Mardi Gras Rent Party at Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort

The Arizona Classic Jazz Society plans to combine the music of Mardi Gras and a Rent Party, the beginning of which dates back to World War I. It was a time of great migration into Harlem. Although a slum, Harlem rents were exhorbitant so many tenants hired a pianist or band to play in their apartment and charged a small fee in an effort to raise money for the landlord. Rent Parties are considered a major factor in the popularity of jazz and blues music and even the beginning of the Lindy Hop. Many of the popular pianists of the time, including James P. Johnson, Willie "the Lion" Smith and Fats Waller, played at these parties. ...

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The Arizona Classic Jazz Society plans to combine the music of Mardi Gras and a Rent Party, the beginning of which dates back to World War I. It was a time of great migration into Harlem. Although a slum, Harlem rents were exhorbitant so many tenants hired a pianist or band to play in their apartment and charged a small fee in an effort to raise money for the landlord. Rent Parties are considered a major factor in the popularity of jazz and blues music and even the beginning of the Lindy Hop. Many of the popular pianists of the time, including James P. Johnson, Willie "the Lion" Smith and Fats Waller, played at these parties.

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